Korean Air is set to bolster its fleet with the procurement of 33 state-of-the-art Airbus A350 family aircraft from Airbus, in a contract valued at USD 13.7 billion. The deal comprises 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s, reinforcing the airline’s long-term fleet strategy as it phases out older aircraft. This significant order underscores Korean Air’s commitment to sustainability, aligning with its efforts to modernize its fleet with eco-friendly aircraft. Moreover, the acquisition of the A350s is viewed as strategic preparation for the integration of Asiana Airlines, further enhancing Korean Air’s operational capabilities.
At the heart of this procurement is the A350-1000, the largest variant in the A350 family, renowned for its spacious cabin accommodating between 350 to 410 passengers in a standard three-class configuration. The aircraft’s utilization of advanced composite materials translates to remarkable fuel efficiency and a reduction in carbon emissions by up to 25% compared to previous-generation models of similar size.